By Paul Nicholson
February 27 – FIFA president Sepp Blatter looks increasingly certain to run for another term as president of FIFA. Speaking to Swiss Walliser Bote – a daily that appears in Blatter’s home canton of Valais – he confirmed that he will run for President again in 2015 “if the FIFA Congress so decides”.
Blatter, 77, said he underwent medical tests recently which bore positive results. He was quoted as saying. “If the Congress elects me, I stand ready to remain FIFA President for another four years. I gladly continue with my mission.”
Blatter would be seeking a fifth term at the head of FIFA. Initially having said
that this would be his final term and that he would hand over to someone else in May 2015 after 17 years at the helm, he has increasingly dropped hints that he felt there was still work to do..
Speaking to French radio station RTS earlier this month from Sochi, Blatter gave his first clear indication that he would be prepared to continue as FIFA president: “If I have the health – and currently I am in good health – I don’t see why I would stop the work. A work which continues. FIFA needs consolidation. Many people say it needs to be continued,” he said.
“I will not shout ‘I’m candidate’ but if the member associations ask it to me, then I will not say no.”
The latest interview confirms that position and indicates that he has the support of the federations to stand again.
Former FIFA executive Jerôme Champagne has already announced his candidacy and a manifesto. However, he also said that he would be unlikely to stand against his former boss Blatter, who he still maintains a good relationship with. Certainly if he did stand against Blatter it would be unlikely he could win the contest.
UEFA President Michel Platini has not declared whether he will run for the presidency. He has said he will make his decision after the FIFA World Cup in Brazil. However, UEFA has been increasingly active amongst other FIFA federations recently, including signing a Memorandum of Understanding with the African confederation CAF.
The deadline for candidates to submit their applications for election is 28 January 2015.
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